Courteney Cox's Malibu Makeover

by DIY Maven
on Dec 19, 2011

When I first came across this before picture of Courteney Cox's Malibu home makeover, I was shocked to see the after. Not because of the drastic change the home underwent, but because of the understated change the home underwent. Yes, it looks considerably different, but the footprint remains. The question I have, however, is would the change have been so delicate if Cox and her design team hadn't proceeded under the restrictions from the Coastal Commission that they couldn't start 'from scratch?' To see a before and after of the interior, visit this slide show on Elle Decor.

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Anonymous
on Mar 05, 2012:

Yikes! I was so excited to see the "after" because the "before" was so fabulous. Just needed a good white-washing, some updating and of course, landscaping. Unfortunately, the soul of the house was stripped away with all it's previous character. If they were going for a look that wouldn't call attention to the house, they succeeded!

Anonymous
on Dec 22, 2011:

Much prefer the before. I can understand taking out some the rounded window, and I like the idea of the floor to ceiling windows, but the new version has very little character. It looks sadly prefab, and not the cool kind of prefab. The roof is what bothers me most; should have left the eves to break up the lines. Also, why would you take out those huge, gorgeous upstairs windows and replace them with tiny ones? I would not call the reno an example of where we are with "modern design". Good modern design celebrates taking chances. This just looks like a 90s suburban cookie cutter house with a few extra windows.

Sarah e
on Dec 21, 2011:

They took out the beautiful beams?

Adrian T
on Dec 20, 2011:

The original building looks over decorative and quite frankly oppressive. Courtney like the architect is not over sentimental and desperate to preserve something without merit. I think the answer is formulaic and a little safe - but at least it embraces and accepts where we are with modern design and modern lifestyles - and not just for film stars incidentally. My experience with real estate also is that it is next to impossible to get the land , view and style of house all together when you want it !

Kitchen Queen
on Dec 19, 2011:

I wouldn't want to hurt any feelings but the 'after' looks like a service station. There's no warmth to the re do at all. I can't imagine what the designer/architect was thinking. The 'before' was a little drab and colorless but with good bones. It completely needed a yard makeover.....but there's an old southern expression that fits this occasion........my, my!

Anonymous
on Dec 19, 2011:

oh my god they`ve killed a house !

M
on Dec 19, 2011:

I think the before looked better

Anonymous
on Dec 19, 2011:

Very dissapointed in this reno - I can't imagine why you would have bought this house if you didn't like the characture of the orignal structure. The cost to accomodate these structural changes would have been high and I can't imagine it being very finacially reasonable after purchasing the property. In on word, this house has become biege (boring). Roof gables have been removed, chimney/fireplace was moved and window that I'm sure were positioned for the veiw have been lost, upper side window was replaced with smaller window and the living room in now a fish bowl. On a good note - the terraced patio is nice.

Ann
on Dec 19, 2011:

I totally agree. The landscape is so much better maintained in the after, and the color scheme is gorgeous. But why did they change those beautiful bones of the house?

my honest answer
on Dec 19, 2011:

I really like the color they chose, but structurally, I prefer the 'before'. I loved the roof details above the windows which have now been removed, and the arched window on the gable end as well.